Dave Bautista Reportedly in Talks to Take Over the Lead in Amazon’s God of War

Dave Bautista is reportedly in talks to take over the role of Kratos.

Dave Bautista may be headed toward one of television’s biggest video-game roles—but the deal is not complete.

Variety reported Tuesday that Bautista is in talks to play Kratos in Amazon Prime Video’s God of War series. The report follows Ryan Hurst’s exit after a torn bicep suffered on set created a recovery timeline that could have delayed production until 2027. Amazon and Sony are reportedly looking to restart work by the fall.

Amazon representatives declined to comment, so the casting should be treated as an active negotiation rather than a finished announcement.

Bautista’s background makes the conversation understandable. He moved from WWE into a film career that includes Drax in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the first two Dune films, Blade Runner 2049, Spectre and Knock at the Cabin. He also has an existing relationship with Amazon MGM Studios through several projects.

Prime Video has given God of War a two-season order. The series is based on the franchise’s Norse-era story, following Kratos and his young son Atreus on a journey to spread the ashes of Faye. Callum Vinson remains attached as Atreus, while Mandy Patinkin, Max Parker, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Alastair Duncan and Ed Skrein are among the announced cast.

Ronald D. Moore is serving as writer, executive producer and showrunner, with Frederick E.O. Toye directing the first two episodes. If Bautista’s agreement closes, his casting would give the production a recognizable action lead while helping Amazon preserve its planned return-to-production window.

The current status and production details come from Variety’s August 4 report.